STAIR Narrative Therapy

An old soldier who is now a successful professional contemplates his time as a prisoner of war (POW) during the Vietnam conflict. He describes himself as young fearless pilot, a master of himself and of his machine. Captured and beaten, he realized that his arms were broken in several places so badly he could not lift a finger. Fellow captive squadron mates took turns spooning food so he could eat. They did this for several weeks. He would not have survived without their aid. The experience transformed his understanding of himself and others. He says, “In the sky, alone, I believed I was invincible but I realized we are all individually nothing. We cannot live without each other, plain and simple.”